I’m starting to see the light at the end of the make nine tunnel. I did a fair amount of sewing in late August and early September, and now I’ve got a few new garments to show for it.

First up, is the Stasia Tee. I had hoped to make the dress but I just didn’t have enough fabric in stash. So I decided to practice up on my knit sewing with the tee version. It comes out pretty cute.

This was my first version. I sewed a straight size 18 with a cap sleeve and no adjustments. This fabric is deep stash remnant of unknown origin and I do not recommend! It was a beast to sew, my thread broke constantly. I changed needles, tried different types of thread, all kinds of things. After sewing a few other knit garments, I am fairly confident that the fabric was the issue. This is number 7 of my make nine, and I’ve finally caved and purchased fabric to try out the dress version, hopefully you’ll see that soon.

And my second version. Another unknown cut of fabric, purchased in the ago, and much nicer to sew. Same size, no fit adjustments other than to shorten the sleeve. My pattern piece was labeled as 3/4 sleeve but it was quite long, so I shortened by 4″ before hemming the cuff. I thought that the neckline on this was going to be really low but it turned out just right. By the way, this is the Stasia Dress & Tee pattern by Sew Liberated. The pattern is really great, very easy to sew.

Finally, i have made a Blackwood Cardigan, a staple pattern in the sewing world by Helen’s Closet. I have wanted to make this for years and years. I actually made my sister-in-law a pretty bad version of this many years ago – sorry Madelyn! But now we’ve done a bit better. The fabric here is from JoAnn’s back in 2021, purchased to go with my ill-fated purple Hinterland. I cut a 14 graded out to an 18 at the hip and I think it works pretty well. I am very pleased with how straight the front hangs without pulling around the hip. This cozy cardigan is number 8 of my make nine and don’t you worry, I’ve already made another one! I just haven’t gotten a good picture of yet, though you can see it here in this fancy car selfie:

And finally, I decided to try the in-seam pocket version of the Gypsum Skirt by Sew Liberated. I made it up in this cotton poplin from Blackbird Fabrics and let me tell you – it is a lovely skirt to wear. The fabric is the perfect weight for a cotton skirt.

For this one, I read through the pattern notes and realized that it directs you to pick a size based on your hip and then use the elastic length to get the waist size you want. I went up from the 16 to a 20 and based on my experience with the previous Gypsum, I went with about 2″ of negative ease in the elastic length. The fit here is just right. Oh, one last change, I did a narrow rolled hem rather than the turn and turn method the pattern calls for. I just felt like I needed that last inch of on the skirt.

And there you have it. That’s number 7 and 8 of my make nine plus some duplicates and all from stash fabrics! I’ve started my last make nine project – a handknit cardigan – and I’m about to split for the sleeves. Right now it just looks like a lump all bunched up on the needles, but I’ll share some progress on it soon. I am really pleased at how all of this coming out. You know I love a good stack of makes and this is going to be an especially good one, I think.

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Happy making!